Navaratri and Vijayadashami 2026 in Kerala: Date, Vijay Muhurat, Pooja Veppu and Vidyarambham

Quick answer: Vijayadashami 2026 is on Tuesday 20 October 2026 (Drik Panchang, India). Navaratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami both fall on Monday 19 October. Vijay Muhurat: Thiruvananthapuram 2:06 to 2:53 PM, Kochi 2:08 to 2:55 PM and Kozhikode 2:10 to 2:57 PM (local time, calculated by the Drik Panchang method). Because the tithis overlap unusually in 2026, confirm Pooja Veppu and Vidyarambham timings with a Kerala almanac or your temple.

District by district: for 2026 events, arrangements and traditions in every district, see our district-wise Dussehra 2026 guide.

Kerala keeps Navaratri differently from most of India. There are no Ravana effigies and few pandals; instead the nine nights are centred on Goddess Saraswati and on learning. Books, pens, musical instruments and tools are placed before the Goddess for Pooja Veppu, left untouched through Maha Navami, and taken back on Vijayadashami morning, when thousands of young children write their first letters at Vidyarambham. For Malayalis everywhere, it is one of the most meaningful days of the year.

Navaratri 2026 key dates (India)

Dates are from Drik Panchang for India. Two features of 2026 matter for Kerala. First, Ashtami and Navami share a single day, Monday 19 October; since Pooja Veppu is traditionally done on the evening when Ashtami prevails, the exact evening should be confirmed with a Kerala almanac or your temple. Second, the Dashami tithi begins only at 12:50 PM IST on Tuesday 20 October and runs until 2:11 PM IST on Wednesday 21 October. Vidyarambham is a morning ritual, so some temples may hold Pooja Eduppu and Vidyarambham on the morning of Wednesday 21 October. Follow the date announced by your temple.

Vijay Muhurat 2026 for Kerala cities

The Vijay Muhurat is the most auspicious window of Vijayadashami afternoon, traditionally used for beginning new work, journeys and important purchases. Timings for Tuesday 20 October 2026, in local time (IST), calculated by the Drik Panchang method:

In Kerala, Vidyarambham is usually done in the morning according to the temple's or family's muhurtham rather than in this afternoon window. For other towns such as Thrissur, Kottayam or Kannur, check a panchang set for that town.

Pooja Veppu, Ayudha Puja and Pooja Eduppu

Pooja Veppu: placing the books

On the Ashtami evening, families place their books, notebooks, pens, musical instruments and the tools of their trade before an image of Saraswati at home, in the family shrine or at a local temple. Students hand over their textbooks; musicians place their veena or mridangam; craftsmen place their implements. From then on, nobody reads, writes or works with them: the knowledge is said to rest with the Goddess.

Maha Navami: Ayudha Puja

Maha Navami is a day of rest from study and work. Ayudha Puja is performed for tools, vehicles and machines, which are cleaned, decorated with sandal paste and flowers, and worshipped. In 2026 Maha Navami falls on Monday 19 October; Drik Panchang lists Ayudha Puja on Tuesday 20 October, when Navami prevails at sunrise, so follow your family/temple tradition.

Pooja Eduppu and Vidyarambham

On Vijayadashami morning, after a puja, the books and tools are taken back (Pooja Eduppu), and everyone reads, writes or plays a little as an auspicious fresh start. Adults often begin a new art, language or course on this day.

For young children, usually between two and five years old, this is the day of Vidyarambham, the formal initiation into letters. A priest, teacher, writer or respected elder holds the child and guides a finger to write 'Hari Sree' and the first letters of the alphabet in a plate of raw rice, and the letters are traced on the tongue with a gold ring. Temples, cultural centres and many homes conduct Vidyarambham, and people of many backgrounds take part.

Where Kerala celebrates Navaratri

• Thiruvananthapuram: the capital's Navaratri tradition goes back to the Travancore royal family. Each year idols of Saraswati and other deities are brought in procession from the Padmanabhapuram area to Thiruvananthapuram, and worshipped at the Navaratri Mandapam near the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, where a Navaratri music festival featuring compositions of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal is held. Dates and programmes are announced each year.
• Panachikkad Dakshina Mookambika temple, Kottayam: one of Kerala's best-known Saraswati temples, very popular for Vidyarambham.
• Thunchan Parambu, Tirur: the birthplace of Thunchathu Ezhuthachan, revered as the father of Malayalam, where children are brought to write their first letters on Vijayadashami.
• Kollur Mookambika, Karnataka: just across the border, a major pilgrimage destination for Malayali families during Navaratri.

These places see very large crowds at Navaratri. Registration, timings and arrangements change from year to year, so check each temple's or centre's official announcements before going.

Navaratri in Kerala homes

In many homes the nine evenings are marked with lamps, Lalitha Sahasranamam or Devi Mahatmyam recitation and simple offerings. Some families, especially those with Tamil or Konkani roots, set up a Bommakolu doll display similar to Golu. The festival is primarily one of learning and the arts: dance and music schools hold Navaratri recitals, and many students choose Vijayadashami to begin lessons with their teachers.

For Malayali families abroad

• Use a panchang calculated for your own city. Do not convert Kerala's timings into your local time zone.
• Many Kerala temples and Malayali associations in the Gulf, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and Singapore organise Pooja Veppu and Vidyarambham. Check their 2026 announcements, especially since the Vidyarambham morning may differ in 2026.
• At home, place children's school books and your laptop before a picture of Saraswati with a lamp, and take them back on Vijayadashami morning before school or work.
• For a first Vidyarambham at home, a grandparent can guide the child on a video call while a parent holds the plate of rice.

For the meaning of Dussehra and its stories, see our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 pillar guide, and for the Navaratri traditions of neighbouring states, our Navarathri 2026 Tamil Nadu guide and Mysore Dasara 2026 guide.

Share the Vijayadashami 2026 blessing

For Hindus in Kerala and Malayalis everywhere, Vijayadashami is the day knowledge returns to our hands as a blessing. As commonly told, Maa Durga triumphed over Mahishasura and Lord Rama over Ravana, and light overcame the darkness of ignorance. When a child writes 'Hari Sree' in rice, we feel that victory begin anew. Share that joy today: choose a message below and send a heartfelt Vijayadashami blessing to your family and elders.

Shami shloka for Vijayadashami

शमी शमयते पापं शमी शत्रुविनाशिनी। अर्जुनस्य धनुर्धारी रामस्य प्रियदर्शिनी॥

Shami shamayate papam shami shatru-vinashini, arjunasya dhanurdhari ramasya priyadarshini.

Meaning: The Shami tree takes away sin and destroys enemies; it held Arjuna's bow and is dear to Lord Rama. Many families recite this while offering Shami (Jammi) leaves on Vijayadashami.

Rama mantra to chant on Dussehra

रामाय रामभद्राय रामचन्द्राय वेधसे। रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीतायाः पतये नमः॥

Ramaya ramabhadraya ramachandraya vedhase, raghunathaya nathaya sitayah pataye namah.

Meaning: Salutations to Rama, to Ramabhadra, to Ramachandra the creator, to the lord of the Raghu clan, to the husband of Sita.

Vijayadashami 2026 messages to share

Happy Vijayadashami to our dear family! 🪔 May Devi bless every home with wisdom, peace and the light of learning, and may every new beginning today be auspicious. Share on WhatsApp

Dear Achan and Amma, your love was my first lesson. On this Vijayadashami I seek your blessings, and pray that Devi keeps you healthy and joyful always. 🙏 Share on WhatsApp

Happy Vijayadashami, friend! As we take back our books and tools today, may you begin every new chapter with confidence, joy and success. ✨ Share on WhatsApp

Warm Vijayadashami wishes to you and your family. May this festival of learning bring fresh ideas, clear thinking and good fortune to our work together. Share on WhatsApp

Jai Maa Durga! 🌺 As little ones across Kerala write their first letters today, may the Divine Mother who conquered Mahishasura bless you with strength and wisdom. Share on WhatsApp

Jai Shri Ram! 🏹 From our home in Kerala, may Lord Rama's victory of truth over Ravana guide your family to lasting peace, courage and joy this Vijayadashami. Share on WhatsApp

A short Vijayadashami prayer

Maa Durga, Mother of wisdom and strength, and Lord Rama, protector of dharma, on this Vijayadashami I humbly bow before you. Please give me the courage to face my difficulties, the wisdom to learn and grow, and the strength to walk the right path. Bless the children who begin their learning today. Keep my family free of negativity, fear and discord, and let your light remain in our home always.

Use the share buttons on this page to send these blessings to your family and friends.

Frequently asked questions

When is Vijayadashami 2026 in Kerala?

Vijayadashami 2026 is on Tuesday 20 October (Drik Panchang, India). Navaratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami both fall on Monday 19 October.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Kerala on Vijayadashami 2026?

On Tuesday 20 October the Vijay Muhurat is 2:06 to 2:53 PM in Thiruvananthapuram, 2:08 to 2:55 PM in Kochi and 2:10 to 2:57 PM in Kozhikode, in local time (IST). For other towns, check a panchang set for that town.

When is Vidyarambham in 2026?

Vidyarambham is a Vijayadashami morning ritual, but in 2026 the Dashami tithi begins only at 12:50 PM IST on Tuesday 20 October. Some temples may hold Pooja Eduppu and Vidyarambham on the morning of Wednesday 21 October, so follow your temple or a Kerala almanac.

When is Pooja Veppu in 2026?

Pooja Veppu is done on the evening when Ashtami prevails. Since Ashtami and Navami share Monday 19 October in 2026, confirm the exact evening with a Kerala almanac or your temple.

Where do children write their first letters in Kerala?

Popular places for Vidyarambham include the Panachikkad Dakshina Mookambika temple in Kottayam and Thunchan Parambu in Tirur, the birthplace of Thunchathu Ezhuthachan. Many Malayali families also travel to Kollur Mookambika in Karnataka. Check each temple's announcements before going.

What happens at Vidyarambham?

A priest, teacher, writer or respected elder guides a young child's finger to write 'Hari Sree' and the first letters of the alphabet in a plate of raw rice. The letters are also traced on the tongue with a gold ring.

Editor's note

Editor's note (5 October 2026): This page has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. Festival dates are from Drik Panchang for India, and the Vijay Muhurat timings for Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode are calculated by the Drik Panchang method. Because Ashtami and Navami fall on the same day and Dashami begins after midday in 2026, Kerala temples may fix Pooja Veppu and Vidyarambham differently from the all-India dates; please follow your temple or a Kerala almanac. We have not listed Vidyarambham timings, registrations or procession schedules because these are announced each year. Temple timings change, so check the temple's official website.

Related guides

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Dussehra 2026 in Karnataka
• Dussehra 2026 in Tamil Nadu
• Dussehra 2026 in Lakshadweep
• Dussehra 2026 in Puducherry
• Navratri 2026: complete guide for NRI families

Also read: Vidyarambham 2026: date and ritual · Dussehra 2026 bank holidays, state-wise